Executive Briefings

Economists Upbeat About Growth in 2014, Not Concerned About Obamacare, Study Says

By: Los Angeles Times 01.29.2014

Economists working for U.S. businesses are more optimistic about growth this year and see little effect from the start of healthcare reform or the reduction in a key Federal Reserve stimulus program, according to survey results released Monday.

More than 40 percent of respondents in the January survey by the National Association for Business Economics said they expected their firms to raise prices in the first three months of the year, the largest percentage since 2012. "The outlook for 2014 is strengthening" said Jack Kleinhenz, the group's president and chief economist at Kleinhenz and Associates.

But despite the brighter outlook, the pace of hiring is not expected to increase, the survey said.

More than 40 percent of respondents in the January survey by the National Association for Business Economics said they expected their firms to raise prices in the first three months of the year, the largest percentage since 2012. "The outlook for 2014 is strengthening" said Jack Kleinhenz, the group's president and chief economist at Kleinhenz and Associates.

But despite the brighter outlook, the pace of hiring is not expected to increase, the survey said.